Studying in Hamburg costs €402 per semester at the University of Hamburg for the winter semester 2026/27, and €400 at TU Hamburg. Both amounts include the Germany semester ticket, which alone accounts for €226.80. A shared flat room costs a median of €650 warm rent per month according to a survey by the Moses Mendelssohn Institut, which makes it the largest item in the budget.
Hamburg in figures
| Topic | Value in Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Students at the University of Hamburg | 43,134 (figure from the university) |
| Students at HAW Hamburg | 16,675 (figure from the university) |
| Students at TU Hamburg | 7,383 (figure from the university) |
| Semester fee University of Hamburg | €402 (winter semester 2026/27) |
| Semester fee TU Hamburg | €400 (winter semester 2026/27) |
| Germany semester ticket included in the fee | €226.80 per semester |
| Studierendenwerk housing places | around 4,770 in 26 housing complexes |
| Shared flat room, median warm rent | €650 per month (winter semester 2026/27) |
The student numbers are figures from the universities without a stated reference date. The fees come from the University of Hamburg and TU Hamburg.
Which universities are there in Hamburg?
The largest is the University of Hamburg with 43,134 students, followed by HAW Hamburg, a university of applied sciences, with 16,675. Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) counts 7,383 students. You will need to ask the university directly for the semester fee of the HAW.
What is included in the Hamburg semester fee?
The fee consists of fixed items. The administration fee of €50 per semester is due from all students under § 6a of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, with exceptions for exchange students.
| Component | University of Hamburg | TU Hamburg |
|---|---|---|
| Studierendenwerk | €101.00 | €101.00 |
| Student body or AStA | €19.60 | €22.20 |
| Germany semester ticket | €226.80 | €226.80 |
| Hardship fund semester ticket | €4.60 | €0.00 |
| Administration fee | €50.00 | €50.00 |
| Total | €402.00 | €400.00 |
How do you get around Hamburg with the semester ticket?
The Germany semester ticket is valid for local public transport and is a fixed part of the fee at the university and the TU. You therefore pay for it automatically, which works out to €37.80 per month. Which tickets are available nationwide for students is explained in semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German).
What does student life in Hamburg cost per month?
A worked example shows the order of magnitude. Assumptions: you are 24 and childless, you study at the University of Hamburg, you share a flat at the median price, and you are insured with a health insurer that charges the average additional contribution of 2.9%. Food, mobile phone and leisure are not included in this calculation.
| Item | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Shared flat room (median warm rent) | €650.00 |
| Semester fee (€402 divided by 6) | €67.00 |
| Health insurance (basic contribution €87.38 plus additional contribution €24.80) | €112.18 |
| Long-term care insurance (childless from age 23) | €35.91 |
| Total | €865.09 |
For comparison: BAföG provides at most €992 for students under 30 with their own flat and their own health and long-term care insurance. This includes a housing allowance of €380, and the median shared flat room is €270 above that. How the requirement is made up is described in How much money do you need per month (in German), and with the budget planning for students (in German) you can draw up your own plan.
Where do you live in Hamburg as a student?
The Studierendenwerk Hamburg operates 26 housing complexes with around 4,770 places. You can only apply through the Studierendenwerk’s online portal. The Studierendenwerk provides information on rents and waiting times. For questions about housing, the housing counselling centre (BeWo) of the Studierendenwerk can help.
It is also worth searching for a shared flat in parallel, because the places in dormitories are limited. The advantages and disadvantages of both routes are compared in dormitory or shared flat (in German), and search strategies are shown in finding a shared flat (in German). Before you sign, the guide to tenancy agreements for students (in German) is helpful. For setting up your home, contents insurance in a dormitory and a shared flat (in German) is relevant.
Do you pay second-home tax in Hamburg?
Hamburg levies a second-home tax. If you keep your main residence elsewhere and only have a secondary residence in Hamburg, you may therefore be affected. The city provides information on the tax rate and on any rules for students. The starting point is the city’s information page on second-home tax. Clarify this before you decide on the question of your main residence. Practical notes are in moving and registration for your studies (in German).
How do you register in Hamburg?
The customer centres of the district offices, combined under the name Hamburg Service, are responsible. You book an appointment through the city’s service portal, and registration is possible at every location.
Where do you apply for BAföG in Hamburg, and who advises you?
The BAföG office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) is part of the Studierendenwerk Hamburg. You can book a personal appointment through the website, and there are also telephone consultation hours. For general questions, the student financing counselling centre (BeSt) answers, and details are on the BAföG page of the Studierendenwerk. The Studierendenwerk also offers social and international counselling (BeSI). The process of applying is explained in applying for BAföG (in German), and the amount is covered in BAföG eligibility and amount (in German).
How do you find a part-time job in Hamburg?
For part-time jobs, ask your department about student assistant positions, and use the general routes described in finding a part-time job as a student (in German). In 2026 the minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour, and the mini-job limit is €603 per month. The same €603 is exempt from BAföG. A position at the university is covered in student assistant jobs (in German).
Where can you eat cheaply in Hamburg?
The Studierendenwerk runs 11 canteens, 20 cafés and 2 pizzerias. You can find out the prices for students from the Studierendenwerk. General tips are provided in the canteen during your studies (in German).
Which health insurance do you need when you start in Hamburg?
For enrolment, the university requires proof of your health insurance, and the rules are the same throughout Germany. The statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) confirmation is explained in proof of health insurance at enrolment (in German). Up to the age of 25, family insurance under 25 (in German) is often an option, and health insurance costs for students by age (in German) shows what student insurance costs later. The basics are in health insurance for students (in German). For questions about your own case, Academycon’s advice service can help, and you can find the way in via the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the semester fee at the University of Hamburg?
For the winter semester 2026/27 it is €402. It includes the Germany semester ticket at €226.80 and the administration fee of €50.
What does a shared flat room cost in Hamburg?
According to the Moses Mendelssohn Institut, the median warm rent in the winter semester 2026/27 is €650. Individual rooms can be considerably cheaper or more expensive, depending on location and furnishings.
Is there a second-home tax in Hamburg?
Yes, the city levies it. Ask the City of Hamburg about the rate and any rules for students.
How many dormitory places does the Studierendenwerk Hamburg have?
According to the Studierendenwerk, there are around 4,770 places in 26 housing complexes. Access is only through the online portal.
How to prepare for your first weeks
- Apply for a dormitory place in the Studierendenwerk’s portal and look for a shared flat at the same time.
- Book an appointment with Hamburg Service to register, and clarify the question of your main residence beforehand.
- Obtain the confirmation of your health insurer for enrolment.
- Pay the semester fee on time so that the Germany semester ticket is valid.
- Submit the BAföG application and, if needed, book an advice appointment at the Studierendenwerk.
Related guides
- Studying in Kiel (in German)
- Studying in Bremen (in German)
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Checklist for the start of your studies (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
